Immunization to protect against adverse cardiac events relating to pneumococcal infection

Abstract

In some aspects, provided herein are methods and compositions for treating or preventing adverse cardiac events in a patient who has suffered an invasive pneumococcal infection or is at risk of such an infection. The compositions include fusion proteins comprising a CbpA polypeptide or active fragment or variant thereof and optionally a T cell epitope (TCE) and a third immunogenic polypeptide from a bacteria.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of reducing the formation or number of cardiac microlesions due to  Streptococcus pneumoniae  infection in a patient, the method comprising administering an effective amount of a composition to a patient, wherein the composition comprises an immunogenic fusion protein comprising a YPT fragment, a T-cell epitope, and a NEEK fragment, wherein said immunogenic fusion protein comprises SEQ ID NO: 8; and
 wherein said effective amount of said composition is administered intramuscularly, intranasally, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, via inhalation, or via injection. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient is immune deficient, is immunocompromised, is hospitalized, is undergoing an invasive medical procedure, is infected with influenza virus or is on a respirator. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of said immunogenic fusion protein comprises a concentration of 0.001 mg to 100 mg total per dose. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered in two or more doses, and wherein the interval of time between administration of doses is at least 2 weeks. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is further administered a composition comprising a second active agent, wherein the composition comprising the immunogenic polypeptide is administered at the same time as the composition comprising the second active agent. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is further administered a composition comprising a second active agent, wherein the composition comprising the immunogenic polypeptide is administered before or after the composition comprising the second active agent is administered, and wherein the interval of time between administration of composition comprising the immunogenic polypeptide and the composition comprising the second active agent is 1 to 30 days. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprising the immunogenic polypeptide further comprises an antibacterial agent.